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Homeless crisis deepens as woman lives in LA storm drain near 110 Freeway

Desperation meets neglect in south LA, where a woman's struggle in a sewer reveals the city's broken promises. Activists demand real change—not just temporary fixes.

The image shows an old black and white photo of a city street with a tram on the road, people...
The image shows an old black and white photo of a city street with a tram on the road, people walking on the footpath, buildings with windows, a tree, and a sky in the background. At the bottom of the image there is some text which reads "esch s/alzette avenue de la bare".

Homeless crisis deepens as woman lives in LA storm drain near 110 Freeway

Residents in south Los Angeles have raised concerns about homeless people living in storm drains near the 110 Freeway. One woman has been found residing in a cramped, unsanitary space filled with rubbish. Despite repeated calls to the city, little has been done to resolve the situation long-term. The woman, living in a 10-foot section of the sewer, described her distress and ongoing mental health struggles. She has repeatedly asked for safer, permanent housing but remains in the hazardous conditions.

Local activist Juan Naula, founder of *Clean LA With Me*, has documented the issue since 2025. He argues that city-led cleanups, including a tent removal effort in September that year, have only provided temporary fixes. Encampments and abandoned RVs continue to create problems like illegal dumping, vandalism, and drug use in the area. The city has received multiple service requests about the site, yet responses often take up to 90 days. Street sweepers' attempts to clean the area have been described as superficial and ineffective. While Los Angeles officials have discussed sealing the sewer, no action has been taken so far. No official figures exist on how many people are living in the drainage systems near the freeway.

The ongoing situation highlights the need for more effective intervention. Without permanent solutions, residents and activists warn that people will keep returning to the unsafe conditions. The city has yet to announce concrete steps to address the issue.

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